How to Improve Your Health Easily

We all want to be healthy and live long. But how many of us are willing to change their way of living to achieve this goal? Change is hard. In our minds the pain of changing our comfortable lifestyle is more than the long-term goal of being healthy. This makes us struggle with our diets, promise ourselves that we’ll quit smoking tomorrow and give up on our resolve not to snack between meals the moment we see the free donuts in the office.

I believe that the single mind shift which will make a real difference in our lives is to realize that we don’t have to completely change and give up out little comforts right now. New year resolutions hardly ever help. A decision to completely change yourself in one day rarely works. Change has to be gradual – little baby steps, every single day.

So what do you think is the best first step to improve your health painlessly? The following video will show you.

As it turns out a simple 30 minute walk every day will help you keep your weight in check, give you a better fitness level, decrease your risk of diabetes and hearth disease, decrease anxiety and depression, increase your energy levels and improve your general quality of life.

Now, if this still does not motivate you enough on daily basis, here are some suggestions:

Get a dog. As suggested in the video, having a dog will make go out for a walk several times daily. Another researchshows that dog owners not only have improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels but better chance to recover from serious diseases.

Buy a pedometer and walk 10 000 steps per day. Having a pedometer gives you a measurable goal for each day. The 10 000 steps goal started as a marketing campaign, but recent research shows that 10 000 steps a day is indeed a healthy goal. You can buy a pedometer for just a fiver online. If you prefer a fancy gadget-y one instead, you can get a piece of the new generation wearable technology. Get a FitBit, Nike Fuel Band or Jawbone Up.

Another, simpler motivation method could be just establishing the habit of walking with your significant other every evening. Make this time feel like a treat. This will give you the opportunity of sharing your day and enjoying a conversation much better than if you are together in front of the TV.

You can also just start to alter small habits such as using the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator; go to work by foot, if possible; in a rainy day don’t just stay at home but go to a museum or a mall where you can walk indoors, etc.

And remember: every beginning is difficult but once you establish the habit and feel the results you will enjoy walking and the improved quality of life that comes with it.